The Math Behind the Notes
Music is complicated as it has many facets. There is tone, pitch, how to play to achieve a certain sound. There are many variables that go into it. Music can also be viewed from many perspectives, from psychological, how the music may impact a person’s thoughts and behaviors, to a scientific perspective, like how it can be used in therapy. However, one aspect that is not as readily thought of is music from a mathematical perspective.
If you are musically trained you likely know about rhythm and keeping timing. Metronomes are a useful tool to have when playing. As casual listeners, we may forget that kept timing and beats in mind are very important. Without it, the songs would sound completely different. Take Chris Stapleton’s – Tennessee Whiskey and Keith Urban’s – Blue Ain’t Your Color. Save for the lyrics the music is the same, Keith’s version is just sped up a little. Unless you listen closely you may miss it (If you’re wondering it is said that Chris Stapleton’s Tennessee Whiskey is the original).
Anyway, the point is math is relevant to music, so what other mathematical elements does music have? How about geometry? The fact that geometry is intertwined with music is not a new concept. Pythagoras said, “There is geometry in the humming of the strings, there is music in the spacing of the spheres.” This mathematical concept can be seen in almost all types of music. In the last blog, we talked about patterns. If you transcribed the sound into something visual you would be able to see those patterns.
In a lot of ways, music is like a painting. It truly is art, and perhaps one of the most versatile and complex arts of all.
If you would like to learn more about music as it relates to geometry then check this site out: Mathematics & Music